Automation Engineer

We are currently recruiting for an Automation Engineer - New Equipment Integration. This candidate will be responsible for the successful landing, commissioning, and stabilization of custom and off-the-shelf automated manufacturing equipment. This role owns projects from vendor design review and factory acceptance through on-site installation, first article validation, production ramp, and the first 90 days of operation.

This position serves as the technical authority during equipment start-up, providing hands-on troubleshooting, engineering solutions, and optimization to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and long-term reliability. The Automation Engineer works cross-functionally with vendors, controls engineers, maintenance, operations, and product engineering to deliver fully validated, production-ready automation.

This is an onsite position. 

Equipment Integration & Launch

• Own the technical execution of new automated equipment from design review through stable production.
• Travel to vendor facilities for:
• Design reviews
• Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)
• Runoffs and sign-offs
• Lead Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, and startup at AprilAire facilities.
• Drive first-article testing, process validation, and production qualification.
• Own the first 90 days of production, including:
• Throughput stabilization
• Scrap and defect reduction
• Reliability improvements
• Root cause and corrective action for launch issues
• Serve as the primary engineering point of contact during ramp-up prior to handoff to Operations and Maintenance.

Automation & Controls Leadership

• Lead or support the design, development, and implementation of PLC- and touchscreen-based automation systems:
• Development and documentation of process requirements
• Selection of PLCs, HMIs, sensors, servos, motors, VFDs, safety systems, and enclosures
• Creation of I/O lists and control architectures
• Review and approval of vendor electrical and control designs
• Perform:
• First I/O checkout
• Debugging and commissioning of automated systems
• Final system validation and documentation
• Modify PLC, HMI, and PC-based software to resolve issues discovered during startup and production ramp.

Project Ownership & Capital Equipment Delivery

• Lead capital equipment projects involving custom automation, integrated production systems, and controls upgrades.
• Ensure:
• Conformance to AprilAire engineering, controls, and component standards
• Compliance with OSHA, ANSI, NEC, and internal safety requirements
• Adherence to approved budget, scope, and timeline
• Operational suitability for production staff
• Achievement of quality and performance targets
• Coordinate and manage:
• External integrators and equipment vendors
• Internal Maintenance, Engineering Technicians, and Operations resources
• Prepare and maintain documentation required for equipment turnover to Production and Plant Maintenance.

Troubleshooting, Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Serve as the highest-level automation and controls troubleshooter during equipment launch.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical, mechanical, and controls issues, including:
• 480V/230V/240V/120V power systems
• 24VDC control systems
• Implement permanent engineering solutions to recurring or systemic problems.
• Identify replacement components for obsolete or unavailable parts.
• Maintain records of design changes, control modifications, and equipment improvements.
• Recommend and implement performance enhancements to improve:
• Throughput
• Uptime
• Quality
• Safety

Cross-Functional & Vendor Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Maintenance to ensure seamless equipment integration.
• Act as technical liaison with vendors to obtain information, services, and materials required for successful implementation.
• Provide training materials and technical guidance to Maintenance and Production teams.
• Represent Manufacturing Engineering on product and equipment design teams as assigned.

•  Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, or controls engineering, or other closely related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5 years of general manufacturing machine or process design experience required to assure full project accountability from concept through project completion.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the development of automated control systems.
• Knowledge of drafting standards.
• Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Knowledge of selection, programming, implementing, and troubleshooting PLCs and user interface touch screens.
• Ability to identify measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Ability to determine how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Ability to manage one's own time and the time of others.
• Ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Strong mathematical skills, including:
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, radios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to choose the right mathematical methods for formulas to solve problems.
• Very strong problem-solving skills, including:
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.